With the worry of the cost of living hanging over our heads this autumn and winter, it’s easy to think that you have to shut yourself off from the world. We’ve put together the best free things to do in York this autumn and winter. You can see what York attractions there are all on a shoestring, from cultural experiences to fun times exploring the labyrinth that is York City Centre.
Yorkshire’s cities offer great free activities for you to enjoy. Why not put together a pack-up and explore what is on your doorstep without having to spend a penny?
1. Discover the wonders of the botanical gardens at Museum Gardens
Found in the centre of town, York Museum Gardens is an incredible botanical garden that sits next to the River Ouse. It is the former grounds of St Mary’s Abbey and there are some great remains of the former Abbey on the 10-acre gardens which you can wander around and enjoy all for free!
Best of all this Halloween they’re set for the return of their Halloween-themed trail with lots of creepy ghouls. One of the York attractions, which will leave you fulfilled, and a little spooked. From a Victorian Gentleman to a jilted bride, it’s a great way to spend some time in the city centre – and it’s free. Museum St, York YO1 7FR
2. Take a trip to the National Railway Museum
Dive into the past, present and future at the National Railway Museum, which is voted in the top 10 attractions in the United Kingdom, according to TripAdvisor. Explore and learn the history of rail transport and how it shaped our lives. There is always something new on display. They’ve currently got Mallard on display which is the fastest steam locomotive – not bad for free things to do in York, eh?
Also, the National Railway Museum has the Innovation Platform exhibition, which highlights emerging ideas and extraordinary achievements from across the rail industry. With this and much more you’ll struggle to get through it all in one trip! Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ
Find out more here.
3. Explore the snickelways of York
The term snickelway was coined by local author Mark W. Jones back in 1983 to describe unique passageways in the city It usually describes a narrow place to walk along, leading from somewhere to somewhere else. You feel like you’re stepping back in time as you wander through some of York’s snickelways – and best of all it’s another of the free things to do in York.
A few of the more interesting ones in York to explore are Lady Peckett’s Yard, which is found near runs Pavement and is connected to Fossgate. The shortest snickelway can be found at Bootham Bar named Hole-in-the-Wall and is found across from the pub with the same name. The longest one is named Coffee Yard and is found on the famous Stonegate and links Stonegate to Swinegate.
Find out more here.
4. Visit Spark:York
Chocked full of independent businesses and home to some great pop-up events, it’s always worth checking what’s on at the famous container park Spark:York. They do a Sunday Market every last Sunday of the month with the best local producers showcasing their beautiful, local and delicious produce. Obviously, the food isn’t free but it is well worth a visit if you’re looking to explore on a shoestring for the day. 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB
Find out more here.
5. Get some culture at the York Art Gallery
Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, the York Art Gallery’s general admission is free entry and has an array of fantastic artwork to check out. From A display featuring rarely seen Japanese Ukiyo-e prints to York Art Gallery and the York LGBT Forum have been working to queer the Burton Gallery by telling the stories and sharing the perspectives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people – there is something for everyone. Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW
You can pre-book online here.
6. Find York’s ‘secret garden’ the Treasurer’s House Gardens
Just near the Minster is a secret garden, the National Trust Treasurer’s House, which is an idyllic place to take a walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of the well-kept gardens. Why not chill out on the benches with ice cream? Not only is it a hidden gem, but it’s another of the free things to do in York that will make your day extra special without spending a penny. It’s such a beautiful spot tucked away down a side alley. Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL
Find out more here.
7. Marvel at York Minster
York’s cathedral church is one of the finest pieces of architecture in the world. Its tower is the highest point in York and can be seen from most places in the city. The Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, itself has a charge to enter, but you can enjoy the exterior of the medieval building as well as the gardens that sit to the left of the ancient building. Deangate, York YO1 7HH
Find out more here.
8. Wander down the magical street The Shambles
It’s said that The Shambles inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley and it’s quite easy to see why. It has its own kind of magic with old-fashioned overhanging buildings and a narrow footpath through the middle. The shop windows are adorned with a whole host of interesting things such as ghost statues, potions old-fashioned sweets and more. Just walking down and exploring is an incredible experience in itself.
9 Soak up the atmosphere of the famous York Market
Found just off the main square in the centre of York, the York Markets offer up unique items and fresh food from local and independent traders – you can wander around them and take in the sights and sounds without having to spend a penny.
10. Visit the Yorkshire Museum
Found in the Museum Gardens, the Yorkshire Museum houses five galleries showcasing some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils that will transport you back in time with its Exhibitions that highlight some fantastic moments in history. The current exhibitions include The Ryedale Hoard which contains Roman objects including a 1,800 year old busy of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Also found in the Yorkshire Museum is an fascinating history of 150 million years of Yorkshire through Anglian, Viking and Medieval periods with artifacts such as York Helmet, Gilling Sword and Ormside Bowl. Museum Gardens YO1 7FR York
To book and find out more visit the website here.
11. Walk The Walls
The York City Walls or ‘Bar Walls’ encircle the city centre of York and are 2 miles of surviving masonry as well as the longest town walls in England. Built in the 13th century, you can still walk the walls today and enjoy an elevated view of the city of York. There are some splendid scenes as we meander your way around them and they’re free to walk also.
Find out more here.
12 Explore Rowntree Park
Rowntree Park is a 30-acre park close to the centre of York, which has playgrounds, a library-cafe, skatepark, tennis courts, basketball court, ponds, woodland walks and more! It’s had a £1.8 million refurbishment to restore it to its original slendour and you can visit for free.
A gift to the city by Messrs Rowntree & Co back in 1921, it stands as a memorial to the Cocoa staff who fell and suffered in WW1. Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ
Find out more here.
13. Walk The River Ouse
The River Ouse runs right through the centre of the city of York and is a great way to see the city. You can start from anywhere, but we’d usually start near Clifford’s Tower and work our way down past Museum Gardens. There are some beautiful views across the river on the way and some great places to stop off for a cheeky pint. At times you’ll feel like you are abroad in some beautiful Venician canals or walking along the banks of the Seine in Paris.
14. Watch Street Performers
All over the city centre are weird and wonderful street performers that will perform anything from juggling swords whilst on unicycles, magic tricks to miming and more – search the streets for the most unique acts. One of out favourite free things to do in York is to visit York’s most famous street performer, the Purple Man.
15. York Cat Trail
A fun thing to do for young and old, the York Cat Trail is the perfect way to see the sights of York. It takes in such highlights as Clifford’s Tower, Shambles, York Minster and more. The Trail starts at The Cat Gallery Shop and is a self-guided tour that takes around an hour or so.
You can get a guide to the trail here.
Check out the full list of 15 free things to do in York:
- Discover the wonders of the botanical gardens at Museum Gardens
- Take a trip to the National Railway Museum
- Explore the snickelways of York
- Visit Spark:York
- Get some culture at the York Art Gallery
- Find York’s ‘secret garden’ in the Treasurer’s House Gardens
- Marvel at York Minster
- Wander down the magical street The Shambles
9 Soak up the atmosphere of the famous York Market - Visit the Yorkshire Museum
- Walk The Walls
- Explore Rowntree Park
- Walk The River Ouse
- Watch Street Performers
- York Cat Trail
Read More: 7 Of The Most Delectable Places To Enjoy Afternoon Tea In York
